Jeanfc

I am getting my A4 in mid-December, and it will come with the S-Line 19 inch performance summer tires – 2 minutes on the snow and I am in a ditch – so I have to get winter tires. Here is the deal with my dealership.

He’s offering me Pirelli 225-55r16 winter tires with mags for $1800, says that it’s almost impossible to put steel rims on the car, and I am better off with mags and winter tires from Audi. Is this a good deal? MAGS are nice, but who really cares in ice, snow and slush – I was thinking of simply putting on winter tires (16 o 17) along with plain steel wheels.

Any thoughts?

jfo

Well, steel wheels will look horrible on your new A4 and you may have fitment issues with the offset, especially on a 16".

You should be able to find some decent, basic 17" alloy wheels for not that much more than ugly steel. After all, it's a beautiful car and you will have those wheels for a number of years. In Montreal, I imagine you would have the winter tires on for at least 4 mths.

I bought my 225 50 17" Blizzak's on a basic "Sport Edition"alloy wheel from 1010tire.com for about $1400 IIRC.

Jeanfc

I just heard back from a local tire dealer. It's impossible to put plain steel 16' rims on 2012 A4s, they simply wont fit, so another $1800 it is. In regards to 17's, I figured it's not that much of a big deal - 19's is freaking huge, I had 17's performance tires on my last A4 and I figured that was overkill. so 16' winter tires and mags will be fine... Anyway, with the snow, slush and grime during winter, you can hardly notice anything.

Arggg - more like 5 months, from mid-November to mid-April.

arjag

I am in the same situation. Just picked up my 2012 A4, S-line with 19 inch summer tires. I am looking for winter rims and tires, probably 17 inch. The price that you are being quoted from your dealer is pretty good. Also check out tire rack and 1010tires but I don't think that you will find much that is cheaper. I do agree that steel wheels look awful!

Jeanfc

Yeah, the price from the dealer is pretty good. $1800 + taxes and he's trowing in winter carpets and one of those plastic protection liners for the Avant trunk. I called a few other dealerships and they pretty much gave me the same rates, the only thing that chances are the tires.

I also agree that steel wheels look awful, but I would not cared in our winters. But those are simply not an option. 16' inch is big enough however.

plg_cp

I didn't think it was possible to get steel wheels to fit A4's...?

I ran a quick winter package on Tirerack for you for 225/50R17 Dunlop Wintersport 3D's on rims and looks like about US$1,710 all-in shipped to Montreal (incl. taxes and duties). Compared to the $1,800 + tax at the dealer you'd save around $250-$300 and more if you're willing to pick them up in Plattsburgh, NY.

Jeanfc

Not sure I understand... Are you saying that steel rims will fit on my A4? The dealer and a few tire vendors around have told me that you can only fit allow mags rims on A4s.

Danluc

hi,
i agree with jim, steel weels will look horrible, i just bought a used2010 a4 s-line with 19 inch tires..they will be useless in snow. i purchased the audi package with 17 mags and tires for around the same price..no hassle
you can always sell your tire and rims when you change cars in the future...thats what i did for my 2005 a4...this will offset the 1800$ price
there is always a market for nice rims and tire. check it out on kijiji.ca

downtown_mtl

I have 2011 A4 S-Line only a few months old. I thought 16" didn't fit this car - only 17". Couple of things: I think most of the Tire-rack packages use bolts conical versus ball-seat. This means you may need new bolts. Also, check the bore diameter. My 2008 mags don't fit my 2011.. bonne chance

Danluc

Hi,

17" will fit your car, my purchase was the 17" tire and rims from the Audi dealer, sorry if you misunderstood 16" and yes Tire Rack sends you new bolts to fit their
rims...the Audi dealer said their rims use the same bolts
I'll be getting my tire and rims installed on 9th nov
Good luck